Herbal skin care composition

ABSTRACT

Described herein is a method of treating aging skin in a subject, the method comprising applying a topical skin care composition to a surface of the skin of the subject in need thereof, the composition containing a whole plant extract solution of  Dendrobium Huoshanense

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/618,187, filed on Sep. 14, 2012, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/534,818, filed on Sep. 14, 2011. Thecontents of both prior applications are hereby incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Aging of skin results from a combination of intrinsic factors, e.g.,genetic factors, to and extrinsic factors, e.g., environmental factorssuch as sun damage and smoking. Aging of skin takes place at themicroscopic and biochemical level, and manifests outwardly as varioussigns, e.g., wrinkles, dryness, roughness, dullness, brown/dark/agespots, and sagging of the skin.

Although a number anti-aging skin care products are commerciallyavailable, synthetic ingredients in many of these products may be harsh,irritating or even harmful to the skin or the user over time. Consumersare seeking skin care products that are not only natural but alsoeffective with little or no side effects.

SUMMARY

This invention is based on the unexpected discovery that an extractsolution of Dendrobium Huoshanense can reduce signs of skin aging whenapplied topically.

Accordingly, described herein is a topical skin care compositioncontaining an extract solution of Dendrobium Huoshanense and one or moretopical carriers. The extract solution can be obtained by extractingdried Dendrobium Huoshanense with a solvent, the ratio of the driedDendrobium Huoshanense to the extract solution being 0.1:100 to 7:100 byweight.

In another aspect, also contemplated herein is a method of treatingaging of skin in a subject using the above-described topical skin carecomposition. For example, the composition can be used to treat, reduce,or improve one or more signs of aging, e.g. wrinkles, dryness,roughness, dullness, blotchiness, brown/dark/age spots, blemishes,and/or skin sagging.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth inthe accompanying drawing and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedescription and drawing, and from the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein is a topical skin care composition that includes anextract solution of Dendrobium Huoshanense and one or more topicalcarriers. This composition can be used to treat aging of the skin.

Dendrobium Huoshanense is one species of Dendrobium. Dendrobium is alarge genus of orchids that originate mainly in tropical and subtropicalAsia, Australia, and the Pacific islands. There are around 1000different species globally. Among these 1000 species, 76 species can befound in China, most of them being naturally located in southwestern andsouthern China and Taiwan. Dendrobium Huoshanense, one of the 76species, grows primarily on ancient tree branches or rock cliffs at veryhigh altitudes in the Dabie Mountain area of Huoshan, Anhui province.

Dendrobium Huoshanense is an herbal used in Traditional ChineseMedicine. Extracts of Dendrobium Huoshanense are traditionallyadministered orally to patients for various purposes, e.g., release oralleviate thirst, awaking the spleen (which, in Traditional ChineseMedicine, means to strengthen the digestive system), release summer heatfrom the body, increase the body's energy, preserve health, and promotelongevity. It has also been used orally to fight fatigue, nourish thevisceral system, relieve dryness, calm wheezing, brighten eyes, andrestores the voice. Recently, Dendrobium Huoshanense has beendemonstrated to have antitumor and blood sugar lowering effects.

An extract solution of Dendrobium Huoshanense, as that term is usedherein, refers to an extract solution obtained by extracting DendrobiumHuoshanense plant material with a solvent, the ratio of the plantmaterial to the final extract solution being 0.1:100 to 7:100 by weight,e.g., 1:20 or 1:100. For example, the extract solution can be preparedby using 0.1 g to 7 g of dried Dendrobium Huoshanense to create 100 g ofherbal extract solution. A skilled practitioner would readily appreciatethat the solvent used for extraction should be suitable for applicationto the skin of a subject, e.g., a human patient. The DendrobiumHuoshanense plant material used can be in the form of whole dried plant,crushed herb, or powdered herb.

The extract solution of Dendrobium Huoshanense can be obtained byvarious conventional methods. Such methods include, but are not limitedto, soaking, boiling, extracting by an soxhlet extractor, pressurecooking, or infusing Dendrobium Huoshanense plant material in variousmedia. The media include, but are not limited to, water, alcohols (e.g.ethanol and isopropanol), other organic solvents (e.g. acetone, hexane,diethyl ether, and petroleum ether), oil, and combinations of suchextraction media. After extraction, the extract solution can beseparated from the solid by sieving, filtering, pressing or anothersuitable method. The extract solution of Dendrobium Huoshanense thusprepared can be used as is without further treatment or modification,e.g., fermentation. Alternatively, the extract solution can be furthertreated, for example, by adding rice and yeast to ferment the solution.The fermented mixture can then be filtered to remove the solid material.

Described in Example 1 below is an exemplary method of extraction using1 g of dried Dendrobium huosanese. It should be noted that this methodcan be altered in a wide variety of ways, such as increasing ordecreasing the soaking and/or boiling times, changing the solvent,increasing or decreasing the number of boiling steps, substituting otherextraction techniques for boiling and/or soaking, eliminating orswitching the order of steps, and substituting blending with othermethods of grinding, crushing, pulverizing or mixing an herbal/solventmixture.

The topical skin care composition described herein can contain about0.01% -25% by weight of an extract solution of Dendrobium Huoshanense,including 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%,12% 15%, 20%, and 25%. For example, the composition can contain 1%-25%of the extract solution.

In addition, the topical skin care composition includes one or moreexcipients, vehicles, or media known in the art for topicaladministration. As used herein, the term “topical carrier” or “topicalexcipient” refers to an ingredient that is not suitable for oraladministration. A topical carrier can be used, for example, to formulatethe composition in a particular form (e.g., cream), or to enhance thefeel, color, scent, absorbability, or spreadibility of the composition.For example, the skin care composition can include ingredients that arefound in a cosmetic formulation, such as pigments, fragrances,preservatives, protectives, adsorbents, demulcents, emollients,buffering agents, skin-penetration agents, and surfactants. In someembodiments, the topical skin care composition also contains one or moreother skin care ingredients, e.g., sunscreens, antioxidants, vitamins,oils, fermented rice and/or other herbals. The types and amounts of theabove-discussed optional ingredients can be determined by one ofordinary skill in the art based upon general knowledge in the skin careformulation art.

The topical skin care composition described above can be formulated as acream, moisturizer, lotion, aqueous gel, non-aqueous gel, serum, mask,ointment, liquid, foam, spray, or any other form suitable for topicalapplication.

Data described below show that an extract solution of DendrobiumHuoshanense effectively reduced or improved various signs of skin aging.Accordingly, the above-described topical skin care composition is usefulfor treating aging of skin. For example, is the composition can be usedto prevent, reduce, slow, alleviate, correct, or improve one or moresigns of aging, e.g. wrinkles, dryness, roughness, dullness,blotchiness, brown/dark/age spots, blemishes, and skin sagging.

The skin care composition can be applied to various areas of the skin,e.g., face, neck, décolletage, hands, and feet, as needed. In someembodiments, the composition is zo applied once or twice daily. Askilled practitioner would readily recognize that the frequency of usedepends on the needs of the user, the condition of the user's skin, andother factors known in the skin care arts.

The specific examples below are to be construed as merely illustrative,and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any waywhatsoever. Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilledin the art can, based on the description herein, utilize the presentinvention to its fullest extent. All publications cited herein areherein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Example 1: Preparation of an Dendrobium Huoshanense Extract Solution

One gram of dried Dendrobium Huoshanense herbal was placed in 750 ml ofwater. The herbal was soaked for a minimum of 12 hours at roomtemperature. The mixture was then brought to a boil and then allowed tocool to 115-120° F. The entire mixture was then blended in a blender orsimilar apparatus. The blended mixture was then boiled for about 30minutes at low heat, i.e., simmered, and then cooled to roomtemperature. The mixture was blended again in a blender or similarapparatus. The above series of simmering, cooling, and blending stepswas repeated two more times. The liquid was then separated from thesolid in the blended mixture by sieving, filtering, pressing, or anothersuitable method. The liquid was then evaporated by boiling to reduce itsvolume to about 100 ml (about 100 g by weight). This resulting liquid,i.e., a Dendrobium Huoshanense extract solution, can be used as is tomake a skin care formulation.

Example 2: Effects of an Dendrobium Huoshanense Extract Solution onSigns of Skin Aging

Three patients were treated topically with a Dendrobium Huoshanenseextract is solution prepared from dried Dendrobium Huoshanense using theprocedure described in Example 1 above. The ratio of the driedDendrobium Huoshanense to the final extract solution was 1:20 by weight.

(A) Patient A

Patient A was a 46-year-old female complaining of having dry skin, andfine lines and wrinkles on her face, especially around the eye and moutharea. Patient A also complained about unevenness and dullness ofcomplexion.

Patient A's initial clinical observations included: (1) blotchiness,redness, and irritation around the nose area and across both checks, aswell as chin area; (2) dry skin all over the face with wrinkles aroundthe eye and lip area (smoker lines); (3) dark spots all over the face,especially on the left cheek; (4) uneven skin tone in chin and cheekareas; and (5) rough skin and sagging in the cheek area.

Patient A was prescribed the 1:20 extract solution of DendrobiumHuoshanense. She was instructed to apply the extract twice daily, i.e.,10 drops in the morning and 10 drops in the evening, on clean face.Patient A followed the regiment for six weeks.

The results of the six-week clinical trial are summarized below.

The frown lines on Patient A's forehead have decreased in length anddepth. The nasal folds and smile lines along the left side of the mouthhave decreased in length and depth.

There was a decrease in sagging of skin. Overall skin tone was improved.There was also a significant reduction in irritation and redness.

The upper eyelid of her left eye showed lifting, less sagging, andsignificantly diminished appearance of fine lines.

There was less roughness and smoother skin under the eyes, particularlyunder the right eye.

There was an overall improvement in skin tone, dullness, blotchiness,and appearance of dark spots.

Data were also obtained from Image Pro I, an imaging device and skincare analysis system. RBG spots and UV spots were measured for eachcaptured image. Results were from comparisons of images captured on thestart and end dates of the six is week trial. The data showedimprovements in both RBG spots and UV spots.

Patient A indicated significant improvements in the following areas:wrinkles around the eyes and mouth, sagging skin in chin and neck area,age spots, discoloration, dark spots, dull skin, suppleness, and skintexture.

Patient A's comments included: “skin feels smoother and more regular intexture,” “dark spots going away—especially (on) left cheek,” “skinfeels more supple and fewer wrinkles and sagging,”

(2) Patient B

Patient B was a 58-year-old female with complaints of overall sagging offace, deep wrinkles, blotchiness and redness of skin, dry skin withroughness especially in the chin area, sagging of the cheek, chin andeyelid area, and a sallow and dull complexion.

Patient B's initial clinical observations included: (1) rough and dryskin; (2) redness, blotchiness and irritation, especially around nosearea and on both cheek areas; (3) sagging of face, including eyelids,cheek, and chin area; (4) deep wrinkles in forehead area, eyebrow area,outside of eye (i.e., crows feet), upper lip area (i.e., smoker line),and nasal labial folds.

Patient B was prescribed the 1:20 extract solution of DendrobiumHuoshanense. She was instructed to apply the extract twice daily, i.e.,10 drops in the morning and 10 drops in the evening, on clean face.Patient B followed the regiment for eight weeks.

The results of the eight-week clinical trial are summarized below.

The frown lines on Patient B's forehead have decreased in length anddepth.

The ridges on bridge of nose were less significant in depth, and therewas a decreased appearance of fine lines.

Patient B's upper eyelids showed lifting, less sagging, and asignificant reduction of fine lines.

The crows feet along her right eye have diminished significantly. Thefine lines have significantly reduced in depth and length.

The nasal folds and smile lines along the right side of Patient B'smouth have decreased in length and depth. The skin tone has improved,and there was visibly reduced irritation and redness of the cheek andnose area.

The smoker lines above her upper lip have flattened out.

The chin showed less sagging, skin tightening, less roughness, anddiminished fine lines.

An overall reduction of wrinkles, better hydration of skin, andimprovement of skin tone, dullness, blotchiness, and appearance of darkspots were observed.

Data were also obtained from Image Pro I. RBG spots and UV spots weremeasured for each captured image. Results were from comparisons ofimages captured on the start and end dates of the trial. The data showedimprovements in both RBG spots and UV spots.

Patient indicated significant improvements in the following aspects:wrinkles, sagging skin, age spots/discoloration, skin texture, rosacea,dark spots, irritated skin, dry patches/spots, redness, dull skin,radiance, suppleness, and lifting around the eye.

Patient's comments included: “My skin in particular became softer than Ihave ever experienced. People commented how soft and radiant it looks.There is a brightness and radiance and highly toned, I had irritationacross bridge of nose that dissipated and I was very pleased with thisprocedure.” “There is less wrinkles, more firmness and improvement indark spots,” “skin is more hydrated”.

(3) Patient C

Patient C was a 68-year-old female complaining of roughness andunevenness of the skin of her face, dry skin with large skin pores,overall facial sagging especially in the s upper eyelids, cheek and chinarea, deep wrinkles, and dark/age spots all over her face especiallyunder both eyes.

Patient C's initial clinical observations included: (1) overall facialroughness and loose skin, (2) sagging in her upper eyelids, cheek andchin, (3) slight irritation and blotchiness on both cheeks, (4) deepnasal labial lines extending to chin area with to puffiness by jaw, (5)wrinkles on her forehead, around the eyes, upper lip, cheek, and chinarea, (6) unevenness of skin, (7) dark/age spots on her forehead, nose,and cheeks, (8) dull skin, and (9) blackheads.

Patient C was prescribed the 1:20 extract solution of DendrobiumHuoshanense. She was instructed to apply the extract twice daily, i.e.,10 drops in the morning and 10 drops in the evening, on clean face.Patient C followed the regiment for eight weeks.

The results of the eight-week clinical trial are summarized below.

The frown lines on Patient C's forehead have decreased in length anddepth.

The ridges on the bridge of her nose were significantly reduced indepth. There was also a significant decrease in the appearance of finelines in that area.

The upper eyelids showed lifting, less sagging, and diminishedappearance of fine lines. The crows feet along the left eye and theright eye have significantly diminished.

An overall reduction of wrinkles, better hydration of skin, andimprovement in skin tone, dullness, blotchiness, and dark spots wereobserved.

Data were also obtained from Image Pro I. RBG spots and UV spots weremeasured for each captured image. Results were from comparisons ofimages captured on the start and end dates of the trial. The data showedimprovements in both RBG spots and UV spots.

Patient C indicated significant improvements in the following aspects:overall wrinkles, wrinkles and lifting around the eyes, sagging skin,age spots/discoloration, skin texture, dark spots, dry patches/spots,redness, dull skin, radiance, and suppleness.

Patient C's comments include: “I could not believe the change in myskin. I became soft, smooth and radiant. I feel that this is a product Iwould want to use every day. I have less wrinkles, more firmness andvery moist.”

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

All of the features disclosed in this specification may be combined inany combination. Each feature disclosed in this specification may bereplaced by an alternative feature serving the same, equivalent, orsimilar purpose. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each featuredisclosed is only an example of a generic series io of equivalent orsimilar features.

From the above description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertainthe essential characteristics of the present invention, and withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changesand modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages andconditions. Thus, other embodiments are also within the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treating aging skin in a subject, the method comprising applying a topical skin care composition to a surface of the skin of the subject in need thereof, the composition containing a whole plant extract solution of Dendrobium Huoshanense, wherein the extract solution is obtained by extracting a dried whole Dendrobium Huoshanense plant with a solvent, the ratio of the dried whole Dendrobium Huoshanense plant to the extract solution being 0.1:100 to 7:100 by weight.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the extract solution is unfermented.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the dried whole Dendrobium Huoshanense plant to the extract solution is 1:100 to 1:20 by weight.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition contains the extract solution in the range of 0.01%-25% by weight.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the dried whole Dendrobium Huoshanense plant is extracted with water as the only solvent.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface of the skin has wrinkles, blemishes, dryness, roughness, dullness, brown spots, dark spots, age spots, or sagging.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further contains a topical carrier.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the composition is a cream, moisturizer, lotion, aqueous gel, non-aqueous gel, serum, mask, ointment, foam, or spray.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the ratio of the dried whole Dendrobium Huoshanense plant to the extract solution is 1:100 to 1:20 by weight.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the composition contains the extract solution in the range of 0.01%-25% by weight.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the surface of the skin has wrinkles, blemishes, dryness, roughness, dullness, brown spots, dark spots, age spots, or sagging.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further includes an ingredient selected from the group consisting of a pigment, fragrance, preservative, protective, adsorbent, demulcent, emollient, buffering agent, skin-penetration agent, surfactant, sunscreen, and oil.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the extract solution is obtained by a process including: (1) soaking a dried whole Dendrobium Huoshanense plant in water for at least twelve hours at room temperature to obtain a mixture; (2) boiling and then cooling the mixture to 115-120° F. to obtain a cooled mixture; (3) blending, grinding, crushing, or pulverizing the cooled mixture to obtain a blended mixture; (4) simmering and then cooling the blended mixture to room temperature to obtain a cooled blended mixture; (5) repeating steps (3) and (4); (6) removing solids from the cooled blended mixture to obtain an extract solution; and (7) concentrating the extract solution. 